Case Study
Case Study Number 2
McKenzie Chavez
What is the significance of each of D.W.’s laboratory findings?
The tests that were run for the patient D.W. were performed to determine a diagnosis and treatment. Even though the disease systemic lupus erthematosus (SLE) doesn’t have a test that specifically diagnosis this diseases, there are test that are run to help with understand contributing factors. The significance of a positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) titer is that 98% of people with systemic lupus test positive, even though it is not enough for a diagnosis of lupus (healthy individuals can test positive) it is a good indication along with other diagnostics test in the presence of lupus. The anti-double-stranded DNA antibody (anti-dsDNA) is a specific type of ANA antibody found in about 30% of people with systemic lupus. Less than 1% of healthy individuals have this antibody, making it helpful in confirming a diagnosis of systemic lupus. A positive value is also indicative of more serious lupus. Anti-smooth muscle antibody is a blood test that detects the presence of antibodies against smooth muscle. This test can help distinguish between lupus and autoimmune hepatitis. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a protein produced by the liver, and high levels of CRP in your blood may mean you have inflammation due to lupus. ESR also tests for inflammation. It measures the amount of a protein that makes the red blood cells clump together (Lupus foundation of America). C3 and C4 test are low due to, Complement proteins are used up by the inflammation caused by lupus, which is why people with inflammation due to active lupus often have low complement levels (Lupus foundation of America).
Given that most tests are nonspecific, how is SLE diagnosed? Systemic lupus erythematosus is a disease that is not easily diagnosed. Many laboratory tests must be done to determine if a patient is has SLE. Due to SLE mimicking many other diseases, as well as affecting many systems in the
McKenzie Chavez
What is the significance of each of D.W.’s laboratory findings?
The tests that were run for the patient D.W. were performed to determine a diagnosis and treatment. Even though the disease systemic lupus erthematosus (SLE) doesn’t have a test that specifically diagnosis this diseases, there are test that are run to help with understand contributing factors. The significance of a positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) titer is that 98% of people with systemic lupus test positive, even though it is not enough for a diagnosis of lupus (healthy individuals can test positive) it is a good indication along with other diagnostics test in the presence of lupus. The anti-double-stranded DNA antibody (anti-dsDNA) is a specific type of ANA antibody found in about 30% of people with systemic lupus. Less than 1% of healthy individuals have this antibody, making it helpful in confirming a diagnosis of systemic lupus. A positive value is also indicative of more serious lupus. Anti-smooth muscle antibody is a blood test that detects the presence of antibodies against smooth muscle. This test can help distinguish between lupus and autoimmune hepatitis. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a protein produced by the liver, and high levels of CRP in your blood may mean you have inflammation due to lupus. ESR also tests for inflammation. It measures the amount of a protein that makes the red blood cells clump together (Lupus foundation of America). C3 and C4 test are low due to, Complement proteins are used up by the inflammation caused by lupus, which is why people with inflammation due to active lupus often have low complement levels (Lupus foundation of America).
Given that most tests are nonspecific, how is SLE diagnosed? Systemic lupus erythematosus is a disease that is not easily diagnosed. Many laboratory tests must be done to determine if a patient is has SLE. Due to SLE mimicking many other diseases, as well as affecting many systems in the
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